Malcolm has a
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with Big Cats
I WON'T say Malcolm Elvy is handicapped. When you've two artificial legs, but your hgv driving instructor says you're first-class and you're recognised as an expert boat haulier then you've earned the right to be considered solely on those merits.
Perhaps it appears that Malcolm should be restricted, but he's not. He hops about on and off trailers with the best when he's getting loading straps into position. 'Nuff said.
Malcolm runs Mustang Marine Boat Transport from Burnham-on-Crouch. He was self-employed working for one boat firm for a year, then, as he puts it, branched out, got married and moved to Essex. Smart moves, all three.
His wife, Margaret, decided to muck in and help out. She's had a Class 3 licence for five, years, passed her Class 1 in October, and hauls boats herself when necessary. Usually accompanied by her Bearded Collie, "Trudie."
Malcolm, who was always interested in boats, has been a haulier for six years. Now at the age of 26 he is doing a job that he enjoys, and has two rigids with drawbar trailers, one artic, a Land-Rover, half a dozen trailers and the cradle and lifting, equipment that goes with them. He employs two drivers. Mr and Mrs Elvy run their business from their home. "I found it a bit of a struggle to get established first and had logo in for caravan hauling as well," he said. Now he would like to diversify into large indivisible loads. For boat haulage is a seasonal business. But he has overcome his main difficulty: getting round the Ministry to get his Class 1 hgv licence. This arose from the fact that he has artificial legs and misshapen fingers. He said that he found that the civil servants were of no assistance. When he had a Class 3 and before he could take his Class 1 test he was made to take his car test again. He doesn't know why.
Helpful instructors
However, the British School of Motoring were helpful, giving individual assessment. They took over his paperwork with the MoT, but he still had to go to Cambridge for an interview. His vehicles have no adaptations at all, but he hopes next year to buy another unit with good bunks.
Because his business is expanding he's just applied to join
the Road Haulage Association. — "with the new European_ Economic Community regulations and that sort of thing you need someone behind you," he said.
With photographer Dick Ross I went down to Canvey Island last week where Malcolm and one of his drivers, Rober lay, were collecting a 1 35ft Snowgoose Cata from Prout Catamarans. been bought in kit form under £10,000 by an An oilman living at Mickli near Thin, Scotland. Wh( spent an extra 00,00C he'll be sailing it bE America.
As it's 15ft in the beal colm decided to fit it trailer at a tilt — making 14ft wide and exer him from the nece: get a VR1 MoN. Order. "The autf would have likE 'Take it via Tilt Aberd explained.
ance the weight Malfour 40-gallon drums water on one side of ?r, plus a large RSJ d steel girder), using a ting frame bolted and o the main members. ook a couple of hours, 3y a tricky bit of driving lanoeuvre out of the Boatyards, it seems, -iously difficult spots, ?. often than not have :cess.
Dolm meets a real gale 3y with a load like this pull into a lay-by bege fibreglass boats are )le to winds. "If the ly catches you, you can ailer go light," he said. rm the boat weighs Dins; when completed it to 4 tons.
Doi ice escort was due to
arrive at 3.30pm. "The Met area like you to travel by night, and most others by day,said Margaret. The Essex Police escort were to hand Malcolm over at Rainham at 8pm to the Met who would take him by the North Circular Road to the Al. He would be looking for bed and breakfast somewhere at the Hertfordshire border.
Then on, via about 20 police authorities, to Mickleferry, hopefully by Saturday night, • John Durant • Pictures by Dick Ross